Active matrix display device

ABSTRACT

In order to provide an active matrix display device in which a thick insulating film is preferably formed around an organic semiconductive film of a thin film luminescent device without damaging the thin film luminescent device, the active matrix display device is provided with a bank layer (bank) along a data line (sig) and a scanning line (gate) to suppress formation of parasitic capacitance in the data line (sig), in which the bank layer (bank) surrounds a region that forms the organic semiconductive film of the thin film luminescent device by an ink-jet process. The bank layer (bank) includes a lower insulating layer formed of a thick organic material and an upper insulating layer of an organic material which is deposited on the lower insulating layer and has a smaller thickness so as to avoid contact of the organic semiconductive film with the upper insulating layer.

The present application is a divisional application of application Ser.No. 11/071,312 filed Mar. 4, 2005, which in turn is a divisionalapplication of application Ser. No. 10/616,991 filed Jul. 11, 2003, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,885,148, which in turn is a divisional application ofapplication Ser. No. 10/102,878 filed Mar. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,642,651, which in turn is a divisional application of application Ser.No. 09/284,802 filed Apr. 21, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,672, whichin turn is a U.S. National Stage of PCT/JP98/03699 filed Aug. 20, 1998.The entire disclosure of each of the prior applications is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to active matrix display devices whichcontrol thin film luminescent devices, such as electroluminescent (EL)devices emitting light by a driving current flowing in an organicsemiconductive film, and light-emitting diode (LED) devices using thinfilm transistors (hereinafter referred to as TFTs).

2. Description of Related Art

Active matrix display devices using current-control-type luminescentdevices, such as EL devices or LED devices, have been proposed. The factthat luminescent devices used in such types of display devices haveself-luminescent functions provides advantages, such as obviatinginstallation of a backlight, whereas backlights are essential for liquidcrystal display devices, and providing a wider viewing angle.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an active matrix display device usingcharge-injection-type organic EL devices. In the active matrix displaydevice 1A shown in the drawing, a plurality of scanning lines gate, aplurality of data lines sig extending in a direction perpendicular to adirection of extension of the scanning lines gate, a plurality of commonfeed lines com extending along the data lines sig, and a plurality ofpixels 7 in a matrix formed by the data lines sig and the scanning linesgate, are formed on a transparent substrate 10.

A data line driving circuit 3 and a scanning line driving circuit 4 areprovided for the data lines sig and the scanning lines gate,respectively. Each pixel 7 is provided with a conduction control circuit50 for supplying scanning signals from a scanning line gate, and a thinfilm luminescent device 40 emitting based on image signals supplied froma data line sig through the conduction control circuit 50.

In this example, the conduction control circuit 50 has a first TFT 20for supplying scanning signals from the scanning line gate to a gateelectrode; a holding capacitor cap for holding image signals suppliedfrom the data line sig through the first TFT 20; and a second TFT 30 forsupplying the image signals held in the holding capacitor cap to thegate electrode. The second TFT 30 and the thin film luminescent device40 are connected in series between an opposite electrode op (describedbelow) and a common feed line com. The thin film luminescent device 40emits light by a driving current from the common feed line com when thesecond TFT 30 is in an ON mode, and this emitting mode is maintained bya holding capacitor cap for a predetermined time.

In such a configuration of an active matrix display device 1A, as shownin FIGS. 23, 24(A), and 24(B), the first TFT 20 and the second TFT 30are formed of islands of a semiconductive film in each pixel 7. Thefirst TFT 20 is provided with a gate electrode 21 as a part of ascanning line gate. In the first TFT 20, one source-drain region iselectrically connected to a data line sig through a contact hole in afirst insulating interlayer 51, and the other region is connected to adrain electrode 22. The drain electrode 22 extends towards the region ofthe second TFT 30, and this extension is electrically connected to agate electrode 31 of the second TFT 30 through a contact hole in thefirst insulating interlayer 51. One source-drain region of the secondTFT 30 is electrically connected to a relay electrode 35 through acontact hole of the first insulating interlayer 51, and the relayelectrode 35 is electrically connected to a pixel electrode 41 of thethin film luminescent device 40 through a contact hole in a secondinsulating interlayer 52.

Each pixel electrode 41 is independently formed in each pixel 7, asshown in FIGS. 23, 24(B), and 24(C). An organic semiconductive film 43and an opposite electrode op are formed above the pixel electrode 41 inthat order. Although the organic semiconductive film 43 is formed ineach pixel 7, a stripe film may be formed over a plurality of pixels 7.The opposite electrode op is formed not only in a display section 11including pixels 7, but also over the entire surface of the transparentsubstrate 10.

With reference to FIGS. 23 and 24(A) again, the other source-drainregion of the second TFT 30 is electrically connected to the common feedline com through a contact hole in the first insulating interlayer 51.An extension 39 of the common feed line com faces an extension 36 of thegate electrode 31 in the second TFT 30 separated by the first insulatinginterlayer 51 as a dielectric film to form a holding capacitor cap.

In the active matrix display device 1A, however, only the secondinsulating interlayer 52 is disposed between the opposite electrode opfacing the pixel electrode 41 and the data line sig on the sametransparent substrate 10, which is unlike liquid crystal active matrixdisplay devices; hence, a large capacitance is formed in the data linesig, and the data line driving circuit 3 is heavily loaded.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 22, 23, 25(A), 25(B), and 25(C), thepresent inventors propose a reduction in parasitic capacitance in thedata line sig by providing a thick insulating film (a bank layer bank;the region shaded with lines slanting downward to the left at a widepitch) between the opposite electrode op and the data line sig.Furthermore, the present inventors propose that the region for formingthe organic semiconductive film 43 be surrounded with the insulatingfilm (bank layer bank) to block a solution discharged from an ink-jethead and to prevent bleeding of the solution towards sides in theformation of the organic semiconductive film 43.

When the entire bank layer bank is formed of a thick inorganic materialin adoption of such a configuration, a problem of a prolonged filmforming time arises. When the thick inorganic film is patterned, thepixel electrode 41 may be damaged due to overetching. On the other hand,when the bank layer bank is formed of an organic material, such as aresist, the organic semiconductive film 43 may deteriorate at theboundary between the organic semiconductive film 43 and the bank layerbank by the effects of the solvent components contained in the organicmaterial in the bank layer bank.

Since formation of a thick bank layer bank causes formation of a largestep difference bb, the opposite electrode op formed above the banklayer bank readily breaks on the step difference bb. Such breakage ofthe opposite electrode op due to the step difference bb causesinsulation of the opposite electrode op from the neighboring oppositeelectrodes op to form point or linear defects in the display. When theopposite electrode op breaks along the outer periphery of the bank layerbank which covers the surfaces of the data line driving circuit 3 andthe scanning line driving circuit 4, the opposite electrode op in thedisplay section 11 is completely insulated from a terminal 12 and thusno image is displayed.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention in view of theabove problems to provide an active matrix display device, withoutdamage of thin film luminescent devices, having a thick insulating filmsatisfactorily formed around an organic semiconductive film in the thinfilm luminescent devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an activematrix display device without breakage of an opposite electrode formedon a thick insulating film which is formed around an organicsemiconductive film to reduce parasitic capacitance.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems ischaracterized by an active matrix display device comprising a displayregion including a plurality of scanning lines on a substrate, aplurality of data lines extending in a direction perpendicular to adirection of extension of the scanning lines, and a plurality of pixelsarranged in a matrix bounded by the data lines and the scanning lines;each of the pixels being provided with a thin film luminescent devicehaving a conduction control circuit containing a thin film transistorthat supplies a scanning signal to a gate electrode through one of thescanning lines, a pixel electrode, an organic semiconductive filmdeposited above the pixel electrode, and an opposite electrode depositedabove the organic semiconductive film; the thin film luminescent deviceemitting light based on an image signal supplied from the data linethrough the conduction control circuit; wherein the region that formsthe organic semiconductive film is divided by an insulating film whichis thicker than the organic semiconductive film; and the insulating filmcomprises a lower insulating layer which is formed of an inorganicmaterial and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film, and anupper insulating layer which is deposited on the lower insulating layerand is formed of an organic material.

In the present invention, the data line will form large parasiticcapacitance if the opposite electrode is formed on the entire surface ofthe display section to face the data line; however, a thick insulatingfilm is provided between the data line and the opposite electrode in thepresent invention to prevent formation of the parasitic capacitance inthe data line. As a result, a load on the data line driving circuit isreduced, and low energy consumption and high-speed display operation areachieved. If the thick insulating film is formed of only an inorganicmaterial, a long film deposition time is required, resulting in lowproductivity. In the present invention, only the lower insulating layerin contact with the organic semiconductive film of the thin filmluminescent device is formed of an inorganic material, and an upperinsulating layer that includes an organic material, such as a resist, isformed thereon. Improved productivity is provided, since the upperinsulating layer formed of an organic material facilitates formation ofa thick film. The upper insulating layer does not come into contact withthe organic semiconductive film, but the lower insulating layer formedof an inorganic material does come into contact with the organicsemiconductive film; hence, the organic semiconductive film is protectedfrom deterioration affected by the upper insulating layer. Accordingly,the thin film luminescent device does not cause decreased luminescentefficiency or reliability.

It is preferable in the present invention that the upper insulatinglayer be deposited in an inner region of the lower insulating layer soas to have a width narrower than that of the lower insulating layer.Such a two-step configuration prevents contact of the upper insulatinglayer formed of an organic material with the organic semiconductivefilm; hence deterioration of the organic semiconductive film can be moresecurely prevented. In such a two-step configuration, both the lowerinsulating layer and the upper insulating layer may be formed ofinorganic materials.

Another aspect of the present invention is an active matrix displaydevice comprising a display region including a plurality of scanninglines on a substrate, a plurality of data lines extending in a directionperpendicular to a direction of extension of the scanning lines, and aplurality of pixels arranged in a matrix bounded by the data lines andthe scanning lines; each of the pixels being provided with a thin filmluminescent device having a conduction control circuit containing a thinfilm transistor that supplies a scanning signal to a gate electrodethrough one of the scanning lines, a pixel electrode, an organicsemiconductive film deposited above the pixel electrode, and an oppositeelectrode deposited above the organic semiconductive film; the thin filmluminescent device emitting light based on an image signal supplied fromthe data line through the conduction control circuit; wherein the regionthat forms the organic semiconductive film is divided by an insulatingfilm which is thicker than the organic semiconductive film; and theinsulating film comprises a lower insulating layer formed of aninorganic material, and an upper insulating layer, formed of aninorganic material, so as to have a width which is narrower than that ofthe lower insulating layer.

In such a configuration, after films formed of inorganic materials,constituting a lower insulating layer and an upper insulating layer, areformed, the upper insulating layer is patterned. Since the lowerinsulating layer functions as an etching stopper, the pixel electrodeswill not be damaged by slight overetching. After the patterning, thelower insulating layer is patterned. Since only one layer of the lowerinsulating layer is etched, the etching is readily controlled so thatoveretching, which would damage the pixel electrodes, does not occur.

It is preferable in the present invention that the conduction controlcircuit be provided with a first TFT that supplies the scanning signalto the gate electrode, and a second TFT of which the gate electrode isconnected to the data line through the first TFT, and that the secondTFT and the thin film luminescent device be connected in series betweena common feed line formed in addition to the data line and the scanningline supplying a drive current and the opposite electrode. Although theconduction control circuit can be formed of a TFT and a holdingcapacitor, the conduction control circuit of each pixel is preferablyformed of two TFTs and two holding capacitors to improve displayquality.

It is preferable in the present invention that the insulating film beused as a bank layer which prevents bleeding of a discharged solutionwhen the organic semiconductive film is formed by an ink-jet process ina region delimited by the insulating film. The insulating filmpreferably has a thickness of 1 μm or more.

It is preferable in the present invention that a region, overlapping thearea that forms the conduction control circuit in the region that formsthe pixel electrode, be covered with the insulating film. That is, it ispreferable that among the region that forms the pixel electrode, thethick insulating film be opened only at the flat section not having theconduction control circuit and the organic semiconductive film be formedonly at the interior thereof. Such a configuration can prevent displayirregularities due to an irregular thickness of the organicsemiconductive film.

A thinner section of the organic semiconductive film causes aconcentration of the driving current of the thin film luminescent deviceand decreased reliability; however, this configuration can prevent sucha problem. If the organic semiconductive film emits light due to adriving current between a pixel electrode and the opposite electrode inthe region overlapping the conduction control circuit, the light isshielded by the conduction control circuit and does not contribute todisplay. The driving current not contributing to display by theshielding effect of the conduction control circuit is an unavailablecurrent.

In the present invention, the thick insulating film is formed at thesection, in which such an unavailable current is expected, to preventformation of the unavailable current. As a result, a current in thecommon feed line can be reduced. Thus, by reducing the width of thecommon feed line, a luminescent area can be increased, improving displaycharacteristics, such as luminance and contrast.

In the present invention, the corners bounded by the insulating film maybe rounded so that the organic semiconductive film has a rounded planarshape. The organic semiconductive film having such a shape avoids theconcentration of the driving current at the corners, hence defects, suchas insufficient voltage resistance, can be prevented at the corners.

When the organic semiconductive film having a striped pattern is formed,the lower insulating layer of the insulating film is formed so as tocover the area for forming the conduction control circuit in the regionthat forms the pixel electrode, the data line, the common feed line, andthe scanning line, whereas the upper insulating layer is formed so as toform a striped pattern along the data line, and the organicsemiconductive film is formed in the region bounded by the stripedpattern of the upper insulating layer by, for example, an ink-jetprocess.

In such a configuration, the conduction control circuit is covered withthe lower insulating layer so that only the organic semiconductive filmformed at the flat section of the pixel electrode contributes toluminescence. That is, the thin film luminescent device is formed onlyat the flat section of the pixel electrode. Thus, the resulting organicsemiconductive film has a constant thickness and does not displayirregularities. Since the lower insulating layer prevents a drivingcurrent in the section not contributing to display, an unavailablecurrent in the common feed line can be prevented.

In such a configuration, the section in which the lower insulating layeroverlaps the upper insulating layer can be used as a bank layer toprevent bleeding of a discharged solution when the organicsemiconductive film is formed by an ink-jet process. When the insulatingfilm is used as a bank layer, the overlapping section of the lowerinsulating layer and the upper insulating layer preferably has athickness of 1 μm or more.

It is preferable in the present invention that the insulating film havea first discontinuities portion so that opposite electrodes of adjacentpixels are connected to each other at flat sections formed by the firstdiscontinuities portion. The thick insulating film in the presentinvention may form a large step which causes breakage of the oppositeelectrode formed thereon; however, the first discontinuities portionformed at predetermined positions of the thick insulating film areplanarized. Since the opposite electrodes of individual regions areelectrically connected to each other at the flat sections correspondingto the first discontinuities portion, the opposite electrodes areprotected from breakage even if breakage occurs at the step due to theinsulating film. Since breakage of the opposite electrode formed abovethe insulating film does not occur when a thick insulating film isformed around the organic semiconductive film to suppress the parasiticcapacitance, display quality and reliability of the active matrixdisplay device can be improved.

When the insulating film is formed along the data line and the scanningline so as to surround the region that forms the organic semiconductivefilm, the first discontinuities portion are preferably formed betweenthe adjacent pixels in the direction of the extending data line, betweenthe adjacent pixels in the direction of the extending scanning line, orbetween the adjacent pixels in these directions.

When the insulating film extends in a striped pattern along the dataline, the first discontinuity may be formed on at least one end of theextending direction.

It is preferable in the present invention that the periphery of thedisplay section be provided with a data line driving circuit thatsupplies data signals through the data lines, and a scanning linedriving circuit that supplies scanning signals through the scanninglines, that the insulating film be also formed above the scanning linedriving circuit and the data line driving circuit, and that theinsulating film have a second discontinuity at a position between theregion that forms the scanning line driving circuit and the region forforming the data line driving circuit so that the opposite electrodes atthe display section and at the peripheral section of the substrate areconnected through the flat section. Even if breakage of the oppositeelectrodes occurs along the periphery of the insulating film whichcovers the data line driving circuit and the scanning line drivingcircuit, the opposite electrode at the display section is connected tothe opposite electrode at the periphery of the substrate via the flatsection, and thus electrical connection between these opposite electrodecan be ensured.

In the discontinuity of the present invention, both the lower insulatinglayer and the upper insulating layer may have the discontinuity, or onlythe upper insulating layer among the upper insulating layer and thelower insulating layer may have the discontinuity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C) are cross-sectional views of active matrixdisplay devices in accordance with a second embodiment and a thirdembodiment of the present invention at positions corresponding to lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pixel of an active matrix display device inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a first modification of thefifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12(A), 12(B) and 12(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a second modification of thefifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15(A), 15(B) and 15(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a third modification of thefifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 16;

FIGS. 18(A), 18(B) and 18(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 21(A), 21(B) and 21(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of aconventional active matrix display device or an active matrix displaydevice in accordance with a comparative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a pixel of the active matrix display deviceshown in FIG. 22;

FIGS. 24(A), 24(B) and 24(C) are cross-sectional views taken from lineA-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 23;

FIGS. 25(A), 25(B) and 25(C) are cross-sectional views of an activematrix display device in accordance with a comparative embodiment atpositions corresponding to line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, inFIG. 23; and

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram similar to that shown in FIG. 16,except that the corners of the blank are rounded.

BEST MODE

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. Parts having the same functions as in FIGS.22 and 25 are referred with the same numerals.

First Embodiment

(Overall Configuration)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2is a plan view of a pixel extracted therefrom. FIGS. 3(A), 3(B) and 3(C)are cross-sectional views taken from line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′,respectively, in FIG. 2.

In the active matrix display device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the centralportion of a transparent substrate 10 as a base is used as a displaysection 11. Among a periphery of the transparent substrate 10, a dataline driving circuit 3 that outputs image signals is provided on theends of data lines sig, whereas a scanning line driving circuit 4 thatoutputs scanning signals is provided on the ends of scanning lines gate.

In these driving circuits 3 and 4, an n-TFT and a p-TFT form acomplementary TFT, and many complementary TFTs form a shift resistorcircuit, a level shifter circuit, and an analog switch circuit. In thedisplay section 11, like in an active matrix substrate of an activematrix liquid crystal display device, a plurality of scanning linesgate, a plurality of data lines sig extending perpendicular to theextending direction of the scanning lines gate, and a plurality ofpixels 7 formed in a matrix by the data lines sig and the scanning linesgate are provided on the transparent substrate 10.

Each pixel 7 is provided with a conduction control circuit 50 thatsupplies scanning signals through a scanning line gate, and a thin filmluminescent device 40 emitting light on the basis of image signalssupplied from a data line sig through the conduction control circuit 50.In this embodiment, the conduction control circuit 50 includes a firstTFT 20 that supplies a scanning signal to a gate electrode through ascanning line gate, a holding capacitor cap for holding an image signalsupplied from a data line sig through the first TFT 20, and a second TFT30 that supplies the image signal held in the holding capacitor cap tothe gate electrode. The second TFT 30 and the thin film luminescentdevice 40 are connected in series between an opposite electrode op and acommon feed line corm. The holding capacitor cap may be formed betweenthe opposite electrode op and the scanning line gate, in addition tobetween the opposite electrode op and the common feed line com.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3(A), and 3(B), in each pixel of the active matrixdisplay device 1 having such a configuration, the first TFT 20 and thesecond TFT 30 are formed using islands of semiconductive films (siliconfilms).

In the first TFT 20, a gate electrode 21 is formed as a part of thescanning line gate. In the first TFT 20, one of the source and drainregions is electrically connected to the data line sig via a contacthole in a first insulating film 51, whereas the other is electricallyconnected to a drain electrode 22. The drain electrode 22 extendstowards the region of the second TFT 30, and the extended section iselectrically connected to a gate electrode 31 of the second TFT 30 via acontact hole in the first insulating film 51.

One of the source and drain regions of the second TFT 30 is electricallyconnected to a relay electrode 35, simultaneously formed with the dataline sig, via a contact hole in the first insulating film 51, and therelay electrode 35 is electrically connected to a transparent pixelelectrode 41, formed of an indium tin oxide (ITO) film in the thin filmluminescent device 40, via a contact hole in a second insulating film52.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3(B), and 3(C), pixel electrodes 41 areindependently formed in individual pixels 7. An organic semiconductivefilm 43 formed of polyphenylene vinylene (PVV) or the like and anopposite electrode op formed of a metal film such as lithium-containingaluminum or calcium are deposited above each pixel electrode 41, in thatorder, to form a thin film luminescent device 40. Although an organicsemiconductive film 43 is formed on each pixel in this embodiment, astripe organic semiconductive film 43 will be formed over a plurality ofpixels 7 in some cases, as will be described below. The oppositeelectrode op is formed over the entire display section 11, other thanthe periphery of the region in which terminals 12 are formed. Theterminals 12 include a terminal electrically connected to the oppositeelectrode op formed using a conduction (not shown in the drawing) whichis simultaneously formed with the opposite electrode op.

The configuration of the thin film luminescent device 40 may be aconfiguration provided with a positive hole injection layer having anincreased luminescent efficiency (hole injection efficiency), or aconfiguration provided with a positive hole injection layer and anelectron injection layer.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3(A) again, the other of the source anddrain regions of the second TFT 30 is electrically connected to thecommon feed line com via a contact hole of the first insulating film 51.The extension 39 of the common feed line com faces the extension 36 ofthe gate electrode 31 separated by the first insulating film 51 as adielectric film to form a holding capacitor cap. In place of the commonfeed line com, a capacitor line formed parallel to the scanning linegate may be used to form the holding capacitor cap. Alternatively, theholding capacitor cap may be formed of the drain region of the first TFT20 and the gate electrode 31 of the second TFT 30.

In such an active matrix display device 1, when the first TFT 20 turnson by selection of a scanning signal, an image signal from the data linesig is applied to the gate electrode 31 of the second TFT 30 via thefirst TFT 20 and simultaneously stored in the holding capacitor cap viathe first TFT 20. When the second TFT 30 turns on, a voltage is appliedbetween the opposite electrode op as a negative electrode and the pixelelectrode 41 as a positive electrode. When the voltage exceeds thethreshold voltage, a current (a driving current) flowing in the organicsemiconductive film 43 steeply increases. Thus, the luminescent device40 emits light as an electroluminescent device or an LED device. Lightfrom the luminescent device 40 is reflected by the opposite electrodeop, passes through the transparent pixel electrode 41, and emerges fromthe transparent substrate 10. Since the driving current that performssuch luminescence flows in a current passage including the oppositeelectrode op, the organic semiconductive film 43, the pixel electrode41, the second TFT 30, and the common feed line com, the current stopswhen the second TFT 30 turns off. The holding capacitor cap, however,holds the gate electrode of the second TFT 30 at a potentialcorresponding to the image signal; hence, the second TFT 30 still turnson. Thus, a driving current continues to flow in the luminescent device40 so that the pixel maintains a turned-on state. This state is helduntil the second TFT 30 turns off by accumulation of the next image datain the holding capacitor cap.

(Bank Layer Configuration)

In order to prevent formation of a large parasitic capacitance in thedata line sig in such an active matrix display device 1 in thisembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C), an insulatingfilm (a bank layer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downwardto the left or double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thickerthan the organic semiconductive film 43 is provided along the data linesig and the scanning line gate, and the opposite electrode op is formedabove the bank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and thethick bank layer bank are disposed between the data line sig and theopposite electrode op, the parasitic capacitance formed in the data linesig is significantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3and 4 can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumptionand improved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61 which is formedof an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or a siliconnitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43,and an upper insulating layer 62 which is formed on the lower insulatinglayer 61 and is formed of an organic material, such as a resist or apolyimide film. For example, the thicknesses of the organicsemiconductive film 43, the lower insulating layer 61, and the upperinsulating layer 62 are in ranges of 0.05 μm to 0.2 μm, 0.2 μm to 1.0μm, and 1 μm to 2 μm, respectively.

In such a double-layer configuration, the upper insulating layer 62 isformed of a resist or a polyimide film which facilitates formation of athick film; hence, only the lower insulating layer 61 can be formed ofan inorganic material. Since the entire bank layer bank is not formed ofan inorganic material, the formation of the inorganic film by, forexample, a PECVD process does not require a long time. Thus,productivity of the active matrix display device 1 is increased.

Also, in such a double-layer configuration, the organic semiconductivefilm 43 comes into contact with the inorganic lower insulating layer 61,but not with the organic upper insulating layer 62. The organicsemiconductive film 43 is, therefore, not damaged by the effects of theorganic upper insulating layer 62, and the thin film luminescent device40 is not subject to decreased luminescent efficiency nor decreasedreliability.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bank layer bank is also formed in the peripheralregion of the transparent substrate 10 (the exterior region of thedisplay section 11); hence the data line driving circuit 3 and thescanning line driving circuit 4 are covered with the bank layer bank.The opposite electrode op must be formed at least in the display section11, but is unnecessary in the driving circuit region. Since the oppositeelectrode op is generally formed by a mask sputtering process, aninaccurate alignment, such as overlap of the opposite electrode op andthe driving circuits, may occur. In this embodiment, however, the banklayer bank is disposed between the lead layer of the driving circuitsand the opposite electrode op; hence formation of parasitic capacitancein the driving circuits 3 and 4 is prevented even if the oppositeelectrode op overlaps the driving circuits. As a result, the load on thedriving circuits 3 and 4 is reduced, consumption of electrical power isreduced, and high-speed display operation is achieved.

In this embodiment, the bank layer bank is also formed in the area,which overlaps the relay electrode 35 of the conduction control circuit50, in the region that forms the pixel electrode 41. The organicsemiconductive film 43 is, therefore, not formed in the area overlappingthe relay electrode 35. Since the organic semiconductive film 43 isformed only at the flat section in the region that forms the pixelelectrode 41, the resulting organic semiconductive film 43 has aconstant thickness so that irregularities of display do not occur. Ifthe organic semiconductive film 43 has a part having a lesser thickness,the driving current for the thin film luminescent device 40 isconcentrated therein, resulting in decreased reliability of the thinfilm luminescent device 40. The uniform thickness in this embodimentdoes not cause such a problem.

If the bank layer bank is not provided in the region overlapping therelay electrode 35, the organic semiconductive film 43 emits light by adriving current between the relay electrode 35 and the oppositeelectrode op; however, the relay electrode 35 and the opposite electrodeop inhibit emission of the light to the exterior, and the light does notcontribute to display. The driving current flowing in the section whichdoes not contribute to display is an unavailable current in view of thedisplay.

In this embodiment, the bank layer bank is formed at the position inwhich an unavailable current will flow so as to prevent an unavailablecurrent flowing in the common feed line com. Thus, the width of thecommon feed line com can be reduced. As a result, the luminescent area,which contributes to improved display performance, such as luminance andcontrast, can be increased.

When the bank layer bank is formed of a black resist, the bank layerbank functions as a black matrix which improves the quality of display,such as contrast. In the active matrix display device 1 of thisembodiment, the opposite electrode op is formed on the entire pixel 7 atthe front face of the transparent substrate 10; hence light reflected bythe opposite electrode op causes decreased contrast. When the bank layerbank that prevents the formation of the parasitic capacitance is formedof a black resist, the bank layer bank also functions as a black matrixwhich shields the light reflected by the opposite electrode op andcontributes to high contrast.

(Method for Making Active Matrix Display Device)

Since the resulting bank layer bank surrounds the region that forms theorganic semiconductive film 43, the layer can prevent bleeding of adischarged solution outside when the organic semiconductive film 43 isformed by discharging a liquid material (discharging solution) throughan ink-jet head in the production process of the active matrix displaydevice. In the following method of making the active matrix displaydevice 1, the steps of making the first TFT 20 and the second TFT 30 onthe transparent substrate 10 are substantially the same as the steps formaking the active matrix substrate of the active matrix liquid crystaldisplay device; hence only the outline thereof will be briefly describedwith reference to FIGS. 3(A), 3(B), and 3(C).

First, an underlying protective film (not shown in the drawing) formedof a silicon oxide film with a thickness of approximately 2,000 to 5,000angstroms is formed, if necessary, on a transparent substrate 10 by aplasma enhanced CVD using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and gaseous oxygen asmaterial gases. A semiconductive film formed of an amorphous siliconfilm with a thickness of approximately 300 to 700 angstroms is formed onthe underlying protective film by a plasma enhanced CVD. The amorphoussilicon semiconductive film is subjected to a crystallization step, suchas a laser annealing step or a solid phase deposition step, so that thesemiconductive film is crystallized to form a polysilicon film.

The semiconductive film is patterned to form islands of semiconductivefilms, and then a gate insulating film 37 formed of a silicon oxide orsilicon nitride film with a thickness of approximately 600 to 1,500angstroms is formed thereon by a plasma enhanced CVD usingtetraethoxysilane (TEOS), gaseous oxygen and the like as material gases.

Next, a conductive film formed of a metal film, such as aluminum,tantalum, molybdenum, titanium, or tungsten, is formed by a sputteringprocess, and is patterned to form gate electrodes 21 and 31 and anextension 36 of the gate electrode 31 (a gate electrode forming step).This step also forms a scanning line gate.

In such a state, a high concentration of phosphorus ions are implantedto source and drain regions by self-alignment with respect to the gateelectrodes 21 and 31. The section which is not doped with the impurityfunctions as a channel region.

After forming a first insulating interlayer 51 and then forming contactholes, a data line sig, a drain electrode 22, a common feed line con, anextension 39 of the common feed line con, and a relay electrode 35 areformed. As a result, a first TFT 20, a second TFT 30, and a holdingcapacitor cap are formed.

Next, a second insulating interlayer 52 is formed and a contact hole isformed at the position corresponding to the relay electrode 35 of theinsulating interlayer. An ITO film is formed on the entire secondinsulating interlayer 52 and is patterned, and then a pixel electrode41, which is electrically connected to the source and drain regions ofthe second TFT 30 via the contact hole, is formed in each pixel 7.

An inorganic film (that forms a lower insulating layer 61) is formed onthe front face of the second insulating film 52 by a PECVD process, andthen a resist (upper insulating layer 62) is formed along the scanningline gate and the data line sig. The inorganic film is patterned throughthe resist as a mask to form a lower insulating layer 61. Since thelower insulating layer 61 is thin, overetching does not occur when thelower insulating layer 61 is formed by such a patterning process. Thus,the pixel electrode 41 is not damaged.

After such an etching step, the inorganic film forms the lowerinsulating layer 61 along the scanning line gate and the data line sig.As a result, a double-layered bank layer bank including the lowerinsulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 is formed. In thisstep, the resist section remaining along the data line sig has a largewidth so as to cover the common feed line com. Thus, a region that formsthe organic semiconductive film 43 in the luminescent device 40 issurrounded with the bank layer bank.

Organic semiconductive films 43 corresponding to R, G, and B are formedin regions in a matrix bounded by the bank layer bank by an ink-jetprocess. A liquid material (a precursor or a discharging solution) thatforms the organic semiconductive film 43 is discharged in the innerregion of the bank layer bank through an ink-jet head and fixed in theinner region of the bank layer bank to form the organic semiconductivefilm 43. Since the upper insulating layer 62 of the bank layer bank isformed of a resist or a polyimide film, it has water-repellentproperties. In contrast, the precursor of the organic semiconductivefilm 43 contains a hydrophilic solution; hence, the region that formsthe organic semiconductive film 43 is reliably defined by the bank layerbank. Since the solution does not bleed out of the adjacent pixels 7,the organic semiconductive film 43 can be formed only in thepredetermined region.

In this step, since the precursor discharged from the ink-jet head formsa convex surface with a thickness of approximately 2 μm to 4 μm by thesurface tension, the bank layer must have a thickness of approximately 1μm to 3 μm. Although the precursor discharged from the ink-jet headcomes into contact with the upper insulating layer 62 in this state, thesolvent in the precursor is removed by heat treatment at 100° C. to 150°C. Thus, the thickness of the organic semiconductive film 43 fixed inthe inner region of the bank layer bank is in a range of approximately0.05 μm to 0.2 μm. The organic semiconductive film 43 no longer is incontact with the upper insulating layer 62.

When the bank layer bank has a height of 1 μm or more, the bank layerbank sufficiently functions as a barrier even if the bank layer bankdoes not have water-repellent properties. Such a thick bank layer bankcan define the region that forms the organic semiconductive film 43 whenthe film is formed by a coating process in place of the ink-jet process.

Next, an opposite electrode op is formed on substantially the entiretransparent substrate 10.

According to the method, organic semiconductive films 43 can be formedat predetermined positions corresponding to R, G, and B by an ink-jetprocess; hence a full color active matrix display device 1 can be madewith high productivity.

Although TFTs are also formed in the data line driving circuit 3 and thescanning line driving circuit 4 shown in FIG. 1, these TFTs can beformed by completely or partly employing the above steps of forming theTFT in the pixel 7. Thus, the TFTs in the driving circuits are alsoformed in the same interlayer in which TFTs for pixels 7 are formed. Incombinations for the first TFT 20 and the second TFT 30, combinations ofan n-type and an n-type, of a p-type and a p-type, and of an n-type anda p-type are allowable. Since all the combinations of TFTs can beproduced by any well-known method, description thereof will be omitted.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C) are cross-sectional views of an active matrixdisplay device in accordance with this embodiment at positionscorresponding to line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 2.This embodiment has a basic configuration which is substantially thesame as that of the first embodiment; hence, the same symbols areassigned for the same parts, without detailed description thereof. Sincethe region that forms the bank layer bank in the active matrix displaydevice of this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment,FIGS. 1 and 2 are also referred to in the following description.

In order to prevent formation of a large parasitic capacitance in a dataline sig, also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4(A), 4(B),and 4(C), an insulating film (a bank layer bank, the region shaded withlines slanting downward to the left or double slanting lines at a widepitch) which is thicker than an organic semiconductive film 43 isprovided along the data line sig and a scanning line gate, and anopposite electrode op is formed above the bank layer bank.

As in the first embodiment, the bank layer bank includes an inorganiclower insulating layer 61, such as a silicon oxide or silicon nitridefilm which is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43, and anupper organic insulating film 62, such as a resist or a polyimide film,formed on the lower insulating layer 61.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4(A), 4(B) and 4(C), the upperorganic insulating film 62 has a smaller width than that of the lowerinorganic insulating film 61 and is formed on the inner region of thelower insulating layer 61. For example, the overlapping width of theupper insulating layer 62 and the pixel electrode 41 is in a range of 1μm to 3 μm, and a gap between an edge of the lower insulating layer 61and the corresponding edge of the upper insulating layer 62 is in arange of 1 μm to 5 μm. Thus, the bank layer bank has a double-layeredconfiguration in which the underlying insulating film 61 and the upperinsulating layer 62 having different widths are deposited.

The upper insulating layer 62 is formed of a resist or a polyimide film,which facilitates formation of a thick film, in such a double-layeredconfiguration, and only the lower insulating layer 61 is formed of aninorganic material. The process, such as a PECVD process, that forms theinorganic film does not require a long deposition time, unlike theprocess that forms a thick bank layer bank which is entirely formed ofan inorganic material. Thus, the active matrix display device 1 can bemanufactured with high productivity.

In such a double-layered configuration, the organic semiconductive film43 comes into contact with the lower insulating layer 61, but not withthe upper insulating layer 62. Furthermore, the upper insulating layer62 is formed on the inner portion of the lower insulating layer 61 toavoid the contact of the organic semiconductive film 43 with the upperinsulating layer 62. Thus, the upper organic insulating film 62 does notcause deterioration of the organic semiconductive film 43 which wouldresult in decreased luminescent efficiency and decreased reliability ofthe thin film luminescent device 40.

The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.Each pixel 7 is surrounded with the bank layer bank. Organicsemiconductive films 43 can be formed in predetermined positionscorresponding to R, G, and B by an ink-jet process; hence, a full coloractive matrix display device 1 can be manufactured with highproductivity, as in the first embodiment.

In the formation of the bank layer bank having such a configuration, aninorganic film (that forms a lower insulating layer 61) is formed on thefront face of the second insulating film 52 by a PECVD process, thelower insulating layer 61 is formed along the scanning line gate and thedata line sig, and then a resist used for the patterning is removed.Next, a resist or a polyimide film with a thickness which is smallerthan that of the lower insulating layer 61 is formed thereon as theupper insulating layer 62. Since the lower insulating layer 61 is thin,overetching does not occur when the lower insulating layer 61 is formedby patterning. Thus, the pixel electrode 41 is not damaged.

Third Embodiment

An active matrix display device 1 in this embodiment has the sameconfiguration as that in the second embodiment, but a material for thebank layer bank is different. Thus, the same symbols are assigned forthe same parts, without detailed description thereof. FIGS. 1, 2, 4(A),4(B) and 4(C) are also referred to in the following description, as inthe second embodiment.

In order to prevent formation of a large parasitic capacitance in a dataline sig, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4(A), 4(B), and 4(C), an insulatingfilm (a bank layer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downwardto the left or double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thickerthan an organic semiconductive film 43 is provided along the data linesig and a scanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formedabove the bank layer bank.

The bank layer bank includes an inorganic lower insulating layer 61,such as a silicon nitride film, which is thicker than the organicsemiconductive film 43, and an upper inorganic insulating film 62, suchas a silicon oxide film, formed on the lower insulating layer 61. Sincethe organic semiconductive film 43 does not come into contact with anyother organic material in such a double-layered configuration, it willnot be deteriorated by the effects of the other organic material. Thus,a decrease in luminescent efficiency and reliability does not occur inthe thin film luminescent device 40.

The upper organic insulating film 62 has a smaller width than that ofthe lower inorganic insulating film 61 and is formed on the inner regionof the lower insulating layer 61. Thus, the bank layer bank has adouble-layered configuration in which the underlying insulating film 61and the upper insulating layer 62 having different widths are deposited.

In the formation of the bank layer bank having such a configuration,inorganic films (a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film) thatform the lower insulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 areformed in that order, and the upper insulating layer 62 is patterned.Since the lower insulating layer 61 functions as an etching stopper,slight overetching will not damage the pixel electrode 41. After thepatterning, the lower insulating layer 61 is patterned. Since a singlelayer of the lower insulating layer 61 is etched, the etching is readilycontrolled and overetching which would damage the pixel electrode 41does not occur.

The other configurations are the same as those in the first and secondembodiments. Each pixel 7 is, therefore, surrounded with the bank layerbank. Organic semiconductive films 43 can be formed in predeterminedpositions corresponding to R, G, and B by an ink-jet process; hence, afull color active matrix display device 1 can be manufactured with highproductivity, as in the first embodiment.

[Modifications of First, Second, and Third Embodiments]

Since the bank layer bank is formed along the data line sig and thescanning line gate in the above embodiments, the bank layer bank boundspixels 7 in a matrix. The bank layer bank may be formed along only thedata line sig. Organic semiconductive film 43 having a striped pattern,corresponding to R, G, and B, can be formed in striped regions boundedby the bank layer bank by an ink-jet process; hence a full color activematrix display device 1 can be made with high productivity.

Although the corners bounded by the bank layer bank are edged in theabove embodiments, they may be rounded so that the organicsemiconductive film 43 has a rounded planar shape, as shown in FIG. 26.The organic semiconductive film 43 having such a shape avoids theconcentration of the driving current at the corners, hence defects, suchas insufficient voltage resistance, can be prevented at the corners.

Fourth Embodiment

An active matrix display device 1 in this embodiment has a basicconfiguration like that in the first, second or third embodiment; hence,FIG. 1 is referred to for the description, and the same symbols areassigned for the same parts, without detailed description thereof.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pixel taken from an active matrix displaydevice of this embodiment. FIGS. 6(A), 6(B) and 6(C) are cross-sectionalviews taken from line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 5.

As described below, a lower insulating layer 61 partly overlaps an upperinsulating layer 62 in this embodiment so that these films havedifferent functions. As shown in FIG. 1, also, in this embodiment, aplurality of scanning lines gate, a plurality of data lines sigextending perpendicular to the extending direction of the scanning linesgate, a plurality of common feed lines com formed parallel to the datalines sig, and a plurality of pixels 7 formed in a matrix by the datalines sig and the scanning lines gate are provided.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a lower insulating layer61 (a region shaded by double lines slanting down toward the left) isformed so as to cover an area overlapping the portion that forms aconduction control circuit 50 in the region that forms a pixel electrode41; the data line sig; the common feed line com; and the scanning linegate. On the other hand, the upper insulating layer 62 (a region shadedby lines at a wide pitch and slanting down toward the left) is formedonly on areas along the data lines sig in the region that forms thelower insulating layer 61 so as to form a striped pattern. Organicsemiconductive films 43 are formed in the striped areas bounded by theupper insulating layer 62.

When the organic semiconductive films 43 having the striped pattern areformed by an ink-jet process in such a configuration, the overlappingsection of the lower insulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer62 is used as a bank layer bank to prevent bleeding of the dischargedsolution. In this embodiment, the overlapping section of the lowerinsulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 has a thickness of1 μm or more.

Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick bank layer bank (thelower insulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62) aredisposed between the data lines sig and the opposite electrode op insuch a configuration, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sigis significantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

Although the striped organic semiconductive films 43 are formed, an areaoverlapping the portion that forms a conduction control circuit 50 inthe region that forms the pixel electrode 41, and a scanning line gateare covered with the upper insulating layer 62. Thus, organicsemiconductive film 43 formed only on the flat section in the pixelelectrode 41 contributes to luminescence. In other words, the thin filmluminescent device 40 is formed only in the flat section of the pixelelectrode 41. Thus, the organic semiconductive film 43 has a constantthickness and does not cause irregularities of display and concentrationof a driving current. Since the lower insulating layer 61 inhibits acurrent flow in the section which does not contribute to display, anunavailable current does not flow in the common feed line com.

When the underlying insulating film 61 is formed of an inorganicmaterial such as a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film which isthicker than the organic semiconductive film 43, and when the upperinsulating layer 62 is formed of an organic material, such as a resistor a polyimide film, only the lower insulating layer 61 is formed of theinorganic material. Thus, the process, such as a PECVD process, thatforms the inorganic film does not require a long deposition time, unlikethe process that forms a thick bank layer bank which is entirely formedof an inorganic material. Thus, the active matrix display device 1 canbe manufactured with high productivity. In such a double-layeredconfiguration, the organic semiconductive film 43 comes into contactwith the lower insulating layer 61, but not with the upper organicinsulating film 62. Thus, the upper organic insulating film 62 does notcause deterioration of the organic semiconductive film 43 which resultsin decreased luminescent efficiency and decreased reliability of thethin film luminescent device 40.

When the lower insulating layer 61 is formed of an inorganic material,such as a silicon nitride film, which is thicker than the organicsemiconductive film 43, and when the upper insulating layer 62 formed onthe lower insulating layer 61 is formed of an inorganic material, suchas a silicon oxide film, the organic semiconductive film 43 does notcome into contact with an organic material, and thus is not deterioratedby the effects of the organic material. Thus, a decrease in theluminescent efficiency and reliability does not occur in the thin filmluminescent device 40. Since the underlying insulating film 61 with asmaller width is deposited on the inner region of the lower insulatinglayer 61, the lower insulating layer 61 functions as an etching stopperwhen the upper insulating layer 62 is patterned, as described in thethird embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a pixel extractedtherefrom. FIGS. 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C) are cross-sectional views takenfrom line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 8. This embodimenthas a basic configuration which is substantially the same as that of thefirst embodiment; hence, the same symbols are assigned for the sameparts, without detailed description thereof.

Also, in this embodiment, an insulating film (a bank layer bank, theregion shaded with lines slanting downward to the left or doubleslanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thicker than an organicsemiconductive film 43, is provided along the data line sig and ascanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formed above thebank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick banklayer bank are disposed between the data lines sig and the oppositeelectrode op, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sig issignificantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61 which is formedof an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or a siliconnitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43,and an upper insulating layer 62 which is formed on the lower insulatinglayer 61, and is formed of an organic material, such as a resist or apolyimide film. For example, the thicknesses of the organicsemiconductive film 43, the lower insulating layer 61, and the upperinsulating layer 62 are in ranges of 0.05 μm to 0.2 μm, 0.2 μm to 1.0μm, and 1 μm to 2 μm, respectively. Thus, the organic semiconductivefilm 43 comes into contact with the inorganic lower insulating layer 61,but not with the organic upper insulating layer 62. The organicsemiconductive film 43 is, therefore, not damaged by the effects of theorganic upper insulating layer 62, and the thin film luminescent device40, as in the first embodiment, is not subject to decreased luminescentefficiency nor decreased reliability.

In the active matrix display device 1 having such a configuration, theorganic semiconductive film 43 is surrounded with the bank layer bank.Thus, the opposite electrode op of each pixel 7 will be connected to theopposite electrode op of the adjacent pixel 7 over the bank layer bankas it stands. In this embodiment, discontinuities portion off (firstdiscontinuities portion) are provided for both the lower insulatinglayer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 of the bank layer bank alongthe data lines sig between adjacent pixels 7. Discontinuities portionoff (first discontinuities portion) are also provided for both the lowerinsulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 of the bank layerbank along the scanning lines gate between adjacent pixels 7.Furthermore, discontinuities portion off (first discontinuities portion)are provided for both the lower insulating layer 61 and the upperinsulating layer 62 of the bank layer bank at the ends of each data linesig and each scanning line gate.

Since the thick bank layer bank is not provided at each discontinuityoff the discontinuity off does not have a large step and is flat. Thus,the opposite electrode op formed at this section does not causedisconnection. The opposite electrodes op of adjacent pixels 7 aresecurely connected through the flat section not having a step of thebank layer bank. Accordingly, a thick insulating film (a bank layerbank) can be formed around a pixel 7 to suppress the parasiticcapacitance, without disconnection of the opposite electrodes op formedon the thick insulating film (bank layer bank).

In the peripheral region of the transparent substrate 10 (the outerregion of the display section 11), the data line driving circuit 3 andthe scanning line driving circuit 4 are covered with the bank layer bank(the region is indicated by shading). Thus, the opposite electrode opprovided above the region that forms these driving circuits is separatedby the bank layer bank from the lead layer of these driving circuits.Since formation of the parasitic capacitance in the driving circuits canbe prevented, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4 can be reduced,resulting in lower electrical power consumption and improved displayoperation.

Furthermore, a discontinuity off (second discontinuity) is provided forboth the lower insulating layer 61 and the upper insulating layer 62 ofthe bank layer bank between the region that forms the scanning linedriving circuit 4 and the region for the data line driving circuit 3.The opposite electrode op at the side of the display section 11 and theopposite electrode op at the peripheral side of the substrate areconnected through the discontinuity off of the bank layer bank, and thediscontinuity off is also a flat section not having a step. Since theopposite electrode op formed at the discontinuity off does not causedisconnection, the opposite electrodes op of the display section 11 andthe opposite electrode op of the peripheral section of the substrate,are securely connected through the discontinuity off of the bank layerbank. Thus, terminals 12 connected to the opposite electrode op of theperipheral section of the substrate are securely connected to theopposite electrode op of the display section 11.

Since the bank layer bank is also formed in an area in which the regionthat forms the pixel electrode 41 overlaps the relay electrode 35 of theconduction control circuit 50 in this embodiment, no unavailable currentflows. Accordingly, the width of the common feed line com can bereduced.

In the production of the active matrix display device 1 having such aconfiguration, the bank layer bank is formed on the front face of thesecond insulating film 52 along the scanning lines gate and the datalines sig, as in the first embodiment. Discontinuities portion off areformed at predetermined positions of the bank layer bank. The bank layerbank formed along the data lines sig has a larger width so that it cancover the common feed line com. As a result, the region that forms theorganic semiconductive film 43 in the thin film luminescent device 40 issurrounded with the bank layer bank.

Organic semiconductive films 43 corresponding to R, G, and B are formedin a region bounded as a matrix by the bank layer bank by an ink-jetprocess. A liquid material (a precursor) that forms the organicsemiconductive film 43 is discharged into the inner region of the banklayer bank through an ink-jet head and is fixed in the inner region ofthe bank layer bank to form the organic semiconductive film 43. Sincethe upper insulating layer 62 of the bank layer bank includes a resistor a polyimide film, it has water-repellent properties. In contrast, theprecursor of the organic semiconductive film 43 contains a hydrophilicsolution; hence, the region that forms the organic semiconductive film43 is reliably defined by the bank layer bank, and the solution does notbleed out of the adjacent pixels 7. Since the discontinuities portionoff provided in the bank layer bank which bounds the region that formsthe organic semiconductive film 43 are narrow, the region that forms theorganic semiconductive film 43 can be reliably defined by the bank layerbank, and the solution does not bleed out of the adjacent pixels 7.Accordingly, the organic semiconductive film 43 can be formed within apredetermined region.

Since the precursor discharged from the ink-jet head forms a convexsurface with a thickness of approximately 2 μm to 4 μm by the surfacetension, the bank layer must have a thickness of approximately 1 μm to 3μm. Although the precursor discharged from the ink-jet head comes intocontact with the upper insulating layer 62 in this state, the solvent inthe precursor is removed by heat treatment at 100° C. to 150° C. Thus,the thickness of the organic semiconductive film 43 fixed in the innerregion of the bank layer bank is in a range of approximately 0.05 μm to0.2 μm. The organic semiconductive film 43 no longer is in contact withthe upper insulating layer 62.

When the bank layer bank has a height of 1 μm or more, the bank layerbank sufficiently functions as a barrier even if the bank layer bankdoes not have water-repellent properties. Such a thick bank layer bankcan define the region that forms the organic semiconductive film 43 whenthe film is formed by a coating process in place of the ink-jet process.

[First Modification of Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pixel taken from thedevice. FIGS. 12(A), 12(B) and 12(C) are cross-sectional views takenfrom line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 11. Thisembodiment has a basic configuration which is substantially the same asthat of the first embodiment; hence, the same symbols are assigned forthe same parts, without detailed description thereof.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12(A), 12(B), and 12(C), in the activematrix display device 1 of this embodiment, an insulating film (a banklayer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downward to the leftor double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thicker than anorganic semiconductive film 43, is provided along the data line sig anda scanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formed above thebank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick banklayer bank are disposed between the data lines sig and the oppositeelectrode op, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sig issignificantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61 which is formedof an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or a siliconnitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43,and an upper insulating layer 62 which is formed on the lower insulatinglayer 61 and is formed of an organic material, such as a resist or apolyimide film. Thus, the organic semiconductive film 43 comes intocontact with the inorganic lower insulating layer 61, but not with theorganic upper insulating layer 62. The organic semiconductive film 43is, therefore, not damaged by the effects of the organic upperinsulating layer 62, and the thin film luminescent device 40, as in thefirst embodiment, is not subject to decreased luminescent efficiency nordecreased reliability.

In this embodiment, the bank layer bank is formed along the data linesig and the scanning line gate, and each pixel 7 is surrounded with thebank layer bank. Organic semiconductive films 43 can be formed inpredetermined positions corresponding to R, C; and B by an ink-jetprocess; hence, a full color active matrix display device 1 can bemanufactured with high productivity.

Furthermore, discontinuities portion off (first discontinuities portion)are provided for the bank layer bank along the scanning line gatebetween adjacent pixels 7. Discontinuities portion off (firstdiscontinuities portion) are also provided for the bank layer bank atthe ends of each data line sig and each scanning line gate. Furthermore,a discontinuity off (second discontinuity) is provided for the banklayer bank between the region that forms the scanning line drivingcircuit 4 and the region for the data line driving circuit 3. Thus, theopposite electrodes op are securely connected through the flat sections(discontinuities portion off) of the bank layer bank not having steps,and do not cause disconnection.

[Second Modification of Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pixel taken from thedevice. FIGS. 15(A), 15(B) and 15(C) are cross-sectional views takenfrom line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 14. Thisembodiment has a basic configuration which is substantially the same asthat of the first embodiment; hence, the same symbols are assigned forthe same parts, without detailed description thereof.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15(A), 15(B), and 15(C), in the activematrix display device 1 of this embodiment, an insulating film (a banklayer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downward to the leftor double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thicker than anorganic semiconductive film 43 is provided along the data line sig and ascanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formed above thebank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick banklayer bank are disposed between the data lines sig and the oppositeelectrode op, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sig issignificantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61 which is formedof an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or a siliconnitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43,and an upper insulating layer 62 which is formed on the lower insulatinglayer 61 and is formed of an organic material, such as a resist or apolyimide film. Thus, the organic semiconductive film 43 comes intocontact with the inorganic lower insulating layer 61, but not with theorganic upper insulating layer 62. The organic semiconductive film 43is, therefore, not damaged by the effects of the organic upperinsulating layer 62, and the thin film luminescent device 40, as in thefirst embodiment, is not subject to decreased luminescent efficiency nordecreased reliability.

In this embodiment, the bank layer bank is formed along the data linesig and the scanning line gate, and each pixel 7 is surrounded with thebank layer bank. Organic semiconductive films 43 can be formed inpredetermined positions corresponding to R, G, and B by an ink-jetprocess; hence, a full color active matrix display device 1 can bemanufactured with high productivity.

Furthermore, discontinuities portion off (first discontinuities portion)are provided for the bank layer bank along the data line sig betweenadjacent pixels 7. Discontinuities portion off (first discontinuitiesportion) are also provided for the bank layer bank at the ends of eachdata line sig and each scanning line gate. Furthermore, a discontinuityoff (second discontinuity) is provided for the bank layer bank betweenthe region that forms the scanning line driving circuit 4 and the regionfor the data line driving circuit 3. Thus the opposite electrodes op aresecurely connected through the flat sections (discontinuities portionoff of the bank layer bank not having steps, and do not causedisconnection.

[Third Modification of Fifth Embodiment]

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device. FIG. 17 is a plan view of a pixel taken from thedevice. FIGS. 18(A), 18(B), and 18(C) are cross-sectional views takenfrom line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 17. Thisembodiment has a basic configuration which is substantially the same asthat of the first and fifth embodiments; hence, the same symbols areassigned for the same parts, without detailed description thereof.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 16, 17, 18(A), 18(B), and 18(C), in the activematrix display device 1 of this embodiment, an insulating film (a banklayer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downward to the leftor double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thicker than anorganic semiconductive film 43, is provided along the data line sig anda scanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formed above thebank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick banklayer bank are disposed between the data lines sig and the oppositeelectrode op, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sig issignificantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61 which is formedof an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or a siliconnitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film 43,and an upper insulating layer 62, which is formed on the lowerinsulating layer 61, and is formed of an organic material, such as aresist or a polyimide film.

In this embodiment, the bank layer bank is formed along the data linesig and the scanning line gate, and each pixel 7 is surrounded with thebank layer bank. Organic semiconductive films 43 can be formed inpredetermined positions corresponding to R, G, and B by an ink-jetprocess; hence, a full color active matrix display device 1 can bemanufactured with high productivity.

Furthermore, discontinuities portion off (first discontinuities portion)are provided for the bank layer bank along the data line sig betweenadjacent pixels 7. Discontinuities portion off (first discontinuitiesportion) are also provided for the bank layer bank at the ends of eachdata line sig and each scanning line gate. Furthermore, a discontinuityoff (second discontinuity) is provided for the bank layer bank betweenthe region that forms the scanning line driving circuit 4 and the regionfor the data line driving circuit 3.

In this embodiment, however, these discontinuities portion off areprovided for only the upper insulating layer 62 among the lowerinsulating layer 61 (a region shaded by double slashes) and the upperinsulating layer 62 (a region shaded by lines slanting down to the left)of the bank layer bank, and thus the lower insulating layer 61 is formedat the discontinuities portion off.

In such a configuration, only the thin lower insulating layer 61 isprovided at the discontinuities portion off; hence, the oppositeelectrode op can be securely connected to each other through thediscontinuities portion off without disconnection.

Although the lower insulating layer 61 is formed for the first andsecond discontinuities portion in this embodiment, the present inventionis not limited to this embodiment. The lower insulating layer 61 may beformed for either the first discontinuities portion or the seconddiscontinuity. The configuration of this embodiment in which the lowerinsulating layer 61 is formed at the discontinuities portion can beapplied to the bank layer bank having a pattern described in any otherembodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an overall layout of an activematrix display device. FIG. 20 is a plan view of a pixel taken from thedevice. FIGS. 21(A), 21(B) and 21(C) are cross-sectional views takenfrom line A-A′, B-B′, and C-C′, respectively, in FIG. 20. Thisembodiment has a basic configuration which is substantially the same asthat of the first and fifth embodiments; hence, the same symbols areassigned for the same parts, without detailed description thereof.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 21(A), 21(B), and 21(C), in the activematrix display device 1 of this embodiment, an insulating film (a banklayer bank, the region shaded with lines slanting downward to the leftor double slanting lines at a wide pitch) which is thicker than anorganic semiconductive film 43, is provided along the data line sig anda scanning line gate, and an opposite electrode op is formed above thebank layer bank. Since the second insulating film 52 and the thick banklayer bank are disposed between the data lines sig and the oppositeelectrode op, parasitic capacitance forming in the data line sig issignificantly reduced. Thus, the load on the driving circuits 3 and 4can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical power consumption andimproved display operation.

The bank layer bank includes a lower insulating layer 61, which isformed of an inorganic material, such as a silicon oxide film or asilicon nitride film, and is thicker than the organic semiconductivefilm 43, and an upper insulating layer 62, which is formed on the lowerinsulating layer 61 and is formed of an organic material, such as aresist or a polyimide film. Thus, the organic semiconductive film 43comes into contact with the inorganic lower insulating layer 61, but notwith the organic upper insulating layer 62. The organic semiconductivefilm 43 is, therefore, not damaged by the effects of the organic upperinsulating layer 62, and the thin film luminescent device 40 is notsubject to decreased luminescent efficiency nor decreased reliability.

Since the bank layer bank is formed along the data line sig in thisembodiment, organic semiconductive film 43 having a striped pattern,corresponding to R, G, and B, can be formed in striped regions boundedby the bank layer bank by an ink-jet process; hence a full color activematrix display device 1 can be made with high productivity.

In addition, discontinuities portion off (first discontinuities portion)are provided for both the lower insulating layer 61 and the upperinsulating layer 62 of the bank layer bank along the data lines sig atthe ends of each data line sig. Thus, the opposite electrode op of eachpixel 7 is connected to the opposite electrode op of the adjacent pixel7 over the thick bank layer bank in the direction of the scanning linegate. In the direction of the data line sig, however, the oppositeelectrode op of each pixel 7 is connected to the opposite electrode opof the adjacent pixel 7 at the discontinuity off (the flat section nothaving a step due to the bank layer bank) at the ends of the data linesig. Since the opposite electrode op of each pixel 7 is connected to theopposite electrode op of the adjacent pixel 7 at the flat section nothaving a step due to the bank layer bank, the opposite electrode op ofeach pixel 7 does not cause disconnection.

In the peripheral region of the transparent substrate 10 (the outerregion of the display section 11), the data line driving circuit 3 andthe scanning line driving circuit 4 are covered with the bank layerbank. Thus, the opposite electrode op provided above the region thatforms these driving circuits is separated by the bank layer bank fromthe lead layer of these driving circuits. Since formation of theparasitic capacitance in the driving circuits can be prevented, the loadon the driving circuits 3 and 4 can be reduced, resulting in lowerelectrical power consumption and improved display operation.

Furthermore, the bank layer bank, which is formed above the scanningline driving circuit 4 and the data line driving circuit 3, has adiscontinuity off (second discontinuity) between the region that formsthe scanning line driving circuit 4 and the region for the data linedriving circuit 3. The opposite electrodes are securely connectedthrough the flat section not having a step due to the bank layer bank(the discontinuity off) without disconnection.

Other Embodiments

As described in the third modification of the fifth embodiment, theconfiguration in which only the upper insulating layer 62 hasdiscontinuities portion off of the bank layer bank may also be appliedto the sixth embodiment.

As described in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the concept ofprovision of discontinuities portion off in the bank layer bank thatavoids disconnection of the opposite electrodes op, is also applicableto a bank layer bank formed of an inorganic material, as described inthe third embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, in the active matrix display device in accordancewith the present invention, the insulating film, which is formed so asto surround the region that forms the organic semiconductive filmincludes a lower insulating layer, which is formed of an inorganicmaterial, and is thicker than the organic semiconductive film, and anupper insulating layer which is formed thereon and is formed of anorganic material. Since a thick insulating film is disposed between thedata line and the opposite electrode, formation of parasitic capacitancein the data line can be prevented. Thus, the load on the data linedriving circuit can be reduced, resulting in lower electrical powerconsumption and improved display operation. In the present invention,only the lower insulating layer in contact with the organicsemiconductive film of the thin film luminescent device is formed of aninorganic material, and the upper insulating layer formed thereon isformed of an organic material, which facilitates formation of a thickfilm. Thus, the process has high productivity. The upper insulatinglayer does not come into contact with the organic semiconductive film,but the lower insulating layer formed of an inorganic material does comeinto contact with the organic semiconductive film; hence, the organicsemiconductive film is protected from deterioration caused by the upperinsulating layer. Accordingly, the thin film luminescent device does notcause decreased luminescent efficiency or reliability.

When the upper insulating layer is deposited in an inner region of thelower insulating layer so as to have a width narrower than that of theupper insulating layer, contact of the upper insulating layer formed ofan organic material with the organic semiconductive film is morereliably prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the insulating filmformed so as to surround the region that forms the organicsemiconductive film includes a lower insulating layer formed of aninorganic material and an upper insulating layer, which is formed on aninner region of the lower insulating layer, and has a smaller width thanthat of the lower insulating layer. Thus, the thick insulating filmdisposed between the data line and the opposite electrode can preventformation of parasitic capacitance in the data line. Thus, the load onthe data line driving circuit can be reduced, resulting in lowerelectrical power consumption and improved display operation. When alower inorganic insulating film and an upper inorganic film are formedand when the upper insulating layer is patterned, the lower insulatinglayer functions as an etching stopper. Thus, overetching which woulddamage the pixel electrode does not occur. After patterning of the upperinsulating layer, only a single layer of the lower insulating layer isetched in the succeeding patterning. Thus, the etching is readilycontrolled and overetching which would damage the pixel electrode doesnot occur.

1. An electro-optical device comprising: a first line; a second linethat intersects with the first line; a first electrode disposedcorrespondingly to the intersection between the first line and thesecond line and formed in a first area; a second electrode correspondingto the first electrode; a light emitting layer disposed between thefirst electrode and the second electrode; a transistor coupled to thefirst electrode; a first line driving circuit that outputs signals tothe first line and that is formed in a second area; an insulating filmdisposed around the first electrode and disposed over the first linedriving circuit, the insulating film not being disposed in a regionbetween the first area and the second area.
 2. The electro-opticaldevice according to claim 1, wherein the first line is a scanning lineand the first line driving circuit outputs scanning signals to the firstline.
 3. The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond line is a data line.
 4. The electro-optical device according toclaim 1, wherein the first line is a data line and the first linedriving circuit outputs data signals to the first line.
 5. Theelectro-optical device according to claim 3, wherein the second line isa scanning line.
 6. An electro-optical device comprising: scanninglines; data lines that intersect with the scanning lines; pixelelectrodes disposed correspondingly to the intersections between thescanning lines and the data lines and formed in a first area; a commonelectrode corresponding to the pixel electrodes; light emitting layersdisposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode;transistors coupled to the pixel electrodes; a line driving circuit thatoutputs signals to the scanning lines or the data lines and that isdisposed in a second area; and an insulating film disposed between thepixel electrodes and disposed over the line driving circuit; theinsulating film not being disposed in a region between the first areaand the second area.
 7. The electro-optical device according to claim 6,the insulating film being disposed along the data lines so as to be in astriped pattern.
 8. An electro-optical device comprising: a plurality ofpixels disposed in a first area, the pixels comprising: a plurality ofpixel electrodes; transistors coupled to the pixel electrodes; a commonelectrode corresponding to the pixel electrodes; light emitting layersdisposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode; adriving circuit that outputs signals to the pixels and that is disposedin a second area; and an insulating film disposed between the pixelelectrodes and disposed over the driving circuit; the insulating filmnot being disposed in a region between the first area and the secondarea.
 9. An electro-optical device comprising: a first area comprising:scanning lines; data lines that intersect with the scanning lines; pixelelectrodes disposed correspondingly to the intersections between thescanning lines and the data lines and formed in the first area; a commonelectrode corresponding to the pixel electrodes; light emitting layersdisposed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode;transistors coupled to the pixel electrodes; a second area comprising aline driving circuit that outputs signals to either the scanning linesor the data lines; a third area between the first area and the secondarea; and an insulating film disposed between the pixel electrodes anddisposed over the scanning line driving circuit, the insulating film notbeing disposed in the third area between the first area and the secondarea.
 10. The electro-optical device according to claim 9, theinsulating film being disposed along the data lines so as to be in astriped pattern.